No matter what products you sell, returns are always part of your business. Sometimes the clothes don’t fit, the customer accidentally bought the same gift as someone else, or the recipient prefers a different product. The reasons may vary, but your return policy should be consistent because your customers are paying attention.
our recent research According to a study by Retail Economics magazine, 24% of customers say inconvenient returns are their biggest concern during the holiday season around the world. With nearly one in four customers letting return policies influence their purchasing decisions, companies cannot afford to ignore customer expectations. He has created five tips to help businesses of all sizes create return policies that increase sales and customer satisfaction during the holiday season.
1. Be clear about your return policy
Read the return policy from a customer’s perspective. Are there any steps you don’t understand? Will you be able to safely return the product to your business? If you need to reread parts of your return policy a few times to understand, rewrite it. Customers should be able to follow your return policy without hesitation. If you can’t follow your return policy, chances are your customers won’t either. It may also be worth adding an FAQ section or bullet points within the text to make it easier for customers to scan.
On the other hand, too much text can be confusing and difficult to read. Consider using graphics and illustrations to accompany your instructions. For example, if you’re sending customers a return label with their first purchase, include a photo of the label so they know what to look for. You can also include illustrations or stock images of “customers” completing the return process to help you stand out from your competitors.
2. Ask customers for feedback
Customer feedback is very important for businesses, especially during the holiday season. Asking your customers the reason for their return can provide valuable insights for your business. For example, if a customer says the shirt doesn’t fit properly, you might need to adjust the size, description, or photo on your website.
Additionally, if you start seeing feedback about delivery delays, you may need to offer a different carrier service to meet your customers’ needs. Our research revealed that This is worth remembering, as 40% of customers around the world are most concerned about late deliveries or having their package arrive when no one is home.
3. Consider offering an exchange
Let’s say a customer loves the skirt they bought from your store, but wants a different size or a different style. Instead of just offering returns, why not offer exchanges? Exchanges can only help companies recoup some of the marketing and fulfillment costs they spend promoting and packaging their products. Instead, it shows customers that your company is willing to go the extra mile. This leads to improved customer satisfaction and increases the likelihood of repeat business.
4. Reward quick returns
Returns may be delayed due to circumstances beyond the customer’s control, such as during holiday travel or inclement weather. For this reason, we recommend extending the return period during the holidays. However, you can reward customers who return products within a shorter period of time. The longer a customer waits to return a product, the more likely it is that the product will be discounted or unavailable for resale. Rewarding customers who return their orders faster also encourages future returns.
5. Offer your customers a convenient drop-off option
Life is full of errands, and the holiday season brings even more errands.Customers sometimes visit friends and family, so they don’t know where the nearest carrier is. Drop off location teeth. Providing your customers with resources to find carrier return locations will help them return their returns more efficiently. This means customers can return orders faster because they don’t have to find a pick-up location themselves. Most carrier websites include a locator link that you can easily include on your website as well.
You can ship and mail from anywhere this holiday season. Stamps.com mobile app.
